80's for Africa

During the 80's there were two notable all-star bands that did a fund raiser song for the famine of Ethiopia. Which one was your favorite (or more tolerant of) of these two?

If you haven't heard them before (is that possible?) here are the links to a free mp3 site.

Band Aid - "Do They Know it's Christmas Time"

USA for Africa - "We Are the World"

It is the lesser of two evils, but I would prefer to be subjected to Band Aid, were I forced to choose.

Lesser of two evils, for sure, but the Band Aid one was better. The american one was too much of the 'perfect people'. Y'know, only the elite got to be on it. Basically, if you weren't a friend of Quincy Jones, you didn't get to be on it.

Heh, there was a Canadian one, too. Tears Are Not Enough, by Northern Lights. It was fun if not for trying to figure out who some of the performers were. Even as a Canadian, I couldn't identify a lot of the lineup. It was really the opposite of what I commented on about the American, it had a mix of the big names and lesser known of the time.

At least they purported to help the starving Ethiopians (tho Do They Know its X-Mas? is a tolerable song compared to crime-against-humanity "We Are the World!!!!!!!").

Modern day Live 8 seemed to simply revel in the fact they were giving a free concert.
And plausibly handing out 'Free Tibet!' & 'Remember Darfur!' stickers.

I remember the Canadian effort.
I even remember the heavy metal effort Hear-n-aid
Actually I remember they did it but I think their song was mercifully played once & never again.

Anybody remember the Simpsons' parody of these songs "We're Sending Our Love Down a Well"?
Bart had thrown a walkie-talkie down a well & had the town convinced there was a lil kid stuck at the bottom of the well.

I like 'Do They Know It's Christmas' but I do maintain it would have been just a smidge better if they'd had Siouxsie on it.

What song wouldn't be better for the inclusion of a smidge of Siouxsie?


(Somewhat off topic: A cover version I wish had been done, but never was: Aqua covering Peek-a-boo)